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SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young

SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City. Founded in 2001 by actor and director Taro Alexander, SAY provides support, advocacy, and life-changing programs for young people who stutter, ages 3–18. SAY focuses on addressing the physical, emotional, and social challenges of stuttering through programs such as summer camps, speech therapy, and creative arts workshops.

History

The organization was originally known as Our Time and was founded by Taro Alexander, a former actor of STOMP and person who stutters. SAY was established to create a safe and empowering environment for children who stutter. Over the years, SAY has expanded its programs nationally and collaborated with influential individuals such as Paul Rudd, George Springer, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kelli O’Hara, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Mariska Hargitay, to amplify its message and mission.

Programs

SAY offers comprehensive programs to help young people who stutter build confidence, communication skills, and a sense of community:

• Camp SAY: A two-week immersive summer camp for children and teens who stutter.
• Camp SAY: Across the USA: Regional day camps that bring the summer camp experience to cities across the United States.
• Confident Voices: After-school and weekend creative arts programs, including songwriting, poetry, and theater.
• SAY: Speech: Speech therapy led by licensed Speech-Language Pathologists specializing in stuttering.
• SAY: DC: Year-round creative arts programming based in Washington, D.C.

Annual Paul Rudd All-Star Bowling Benefit

SAY hosts the Paul Rudd All-Star Bowling Benefit, an annual fundraising event led by actor Paul Rudd. The 11th benefit, held on October 21, 2024, at Bowlero Chelsea Piers in New York City, featured appearances by notable figures such as Richard Kind, Chris Meloni, and members of Freestyle Love Supreme. Proceeds from the event support SAY’s programs, ensuring accessibility for families regardless of financial circumstances.

George Springer – SAY National Spokesperson

George Springer, 2017 World Series Champion and MVP, serves as SAY’s National Spokesperson. Springer, who stutters, has shared his journey to inspire and support young people.

Springer hosts the George Springer Bowling Benefit, raising funds for Camp SAY scholarships to ensure accessibility for families in need. His work with SAY has been featured by the MLB Players Association, highlighting his commitment to empowering young people who stutter.

Awards and Recognition

SAY has been recognized for its impactful programs and advocacy:

• 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award
• Charles Van Riper Award from the National Council on Communicative Disorders
• Special Citation from the New York State Speech-Language Hearing Association

Media Coverage

SAY’s mission and programs have been featured in major media outlets:

• CBS Sunday Morning: Highlighted SAY’s workshops and the impact on children who stutter.
• ABC News: Coverage of SAY’s programs and summer camp experiences.
• The New York Times: Reports on SAY’s mission and the challenges faced by children who stutter.
• The Washington Post: Features on SAY’s advocacy and community-building programs.
• The Vicksburg Post: Coverage of SAY's My Beautiful Stutter documentary, which follows five young people who stutter.
• People Magazine: Coverage of the Annual Paul Rudd All-Star Bowling Benefit and its role in supporting SAY’s programs.

Mission

SAY’s mission is to create a world where every young person who stutters feels heard, celebrated, and empowered. SAY ensures accessibility to its programs by providing financial aid to families in need, stating: “Every voice matters.”

External links

• Official SAY Website